Joshua

By Stephen Brandon

Oh, damn what was I drinking last night.
Without thinking I said aloud, “Valkyrie, how’s tricks?”
“Joshua, what happened to you? You look younger. Are you still jumping?”
“Yes Val, still jumping from one hot spot to another.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen Brandon
• Release date: May 6, 2021

Stephen Brandon

I've loved westerns and science fiction since I picked up my first book at the public library. I've been writing on my computer for years. I never planned on any of my stories being published, just to be read by myself, family, and friends. The base journal is on forty spreadsheets with links to about a thousand files of short one day paragraphs plus other stories. {My claim to fame, written by someone else. Thanks.} "As an earthbound retiree, Stephen writes mostly science fiction and short stories. He is a voracious reader and has written for a few years, publishing his stories on Smashwords."

Book preview

Joshua

Published by Stephen Brandon at Smashwords

Copyright 2021 by Stephen Brandon

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This E-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This E-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite E-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Author's Note

This book is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, incidents, and dialogue are from the authors imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or other persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Real and fictional locations are used for background only.

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Table of Contents ~ (ToC) ~

Prologue

Chapter 1 Planet Janet

Chapter 2 Planet Hope

Chapter 3 Rebellion

Chapter 4 Planet Lydia

Chapter 5 Knight or Judge

Chapter 6 Ellen

Chapter 7 Espionage

Chapter 8 Mercenaries

Chapter 9 My Farm

Chapter 10 Actions have long range results

Chapter 11 Generation Ship

Chapter 12 The Woods

Chapter 13 Rogue

Chapter 14 Home again

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Prologue

Hello Joshua.

How do you know my name?

It’s easy, my company has a file on some of your exploits.

That still doesn’t explain it.

Did I forget to mention that we have pictures of you from several sources. Although one I studied very carefully had you outfitted in armor. Any explanation for that.

No comment.

Oh, and by the way, the man that started the company died about a decade past. His son runs the company now. We have standing orders to inform you that if you can answer one question, we are to assist you in any manner possible, and give you a special company code so you can draw funds.

Well, what is the question?

What year were you born?

What! That’s no kind of a question that should give anyone access to what you’ve just told me.

I know, but it is the question that the boss had in his will.

OK, but I want a full explanation of who he was and what you have in my file.

Done.

December 20th, 1990.

I knew it! My name in Wade. The code you need to memorize is your sisters date converted to numbers with her initials in front of the year, month, and day.

I thought that was my families account number. The last time I talked to Lee she said she was setting up family account because she felt that several of us would need access to funds in the future.

She was right. It has been active for over a thousand years, and you or someone has made withdrawals and deposits several times.

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Chapter 1 Planet Janet

Oh, damn what was I drinking last night. Opening my eye, since the other one didn’t work, I saw the corner of a building with a wire fence extending from it. On the other side was what looked like a forest. That can’t be right. I’m aboard a ship. Joanna, what the hell is going on? My yell caused more pounding in my head. Joanna!

Finally my other eye squinted open, and I didn’t like what I saw. There was some kind of animal climbing the outside of the fence, and it looked at me like I was dinner. Rolling over on my left side, I immediately felt a lump accompanied by pain. Sliding my hand down I felt a pistol. Oh shit, why am I packing?

Looking back at the animal climbing the fence, I slowly pulled the revolver, and jacked a round into the chamber. As I brought it up, I heard a blast that could only have come from a large bore rifle. The fence jerked, and the animal was followed by a stream of blood as it fell from the fence.

Looking over my shoulder toward the other end of the alley, I saw a young woman. She was looking at me with the strangest look. Who are you? I don’t recognize you.

I slid the revolver back into the holster on my hip and answered. "My name is Josh, and I would like to know how I the hell I got here? Also where is here?

Well, here is outpost seven. Now get up and follow me. Two streets later she turned into another alley. Half way down she rapped on a dingy looking door.

When the peep hole opened she simply gave whoever was on the other side the finger. The guy shut and barred the door after we entered.

I followed her down the hall and up the stairs into what looked like a bar. The first thing she said after looking around was, Bill, why aren’t you on patrol? Get your ass out there and take your brother with you.

The other guy said, I ain’t on duty Susan.

You are now. I just blew a cat off the fence. It was half way to the top.

Shit, send your boyfriend there. He grabbed the end of her rifle and jerked it from her hand.

Without thinking I took a step and planted my fist on his nose. As he let go of the rifle I simply removed it from his hand and pointed it toward the other guy at the bar. Looking down I asked, Does it has a round in the chamber, or shall I use it like a club?

Her reply was, Don’t fire it in here, I loaded explosive rounds this morning.

Letting loose of the stock with my left hand, I drew my revolver and then stated, Damn, I don’t remember whether I’ve got ball or armor piercing in this.

With a panicked look the guy reached down and hauled his bother off the floor. They didn’t stop until they reached the door, and grabbed two rifles out of a rack. Then they were out the door.

Sliding my revolver back into it’s holster, I extended my hand toward Susan as she started getting up off the floor. As she stood, I handed her her rifle.

Looking at the bartender, I stated, I need a beer for my headache.

Weapons go in the rack before any drinks are served.

My brain was working again so I told him, I am a weapon. I don’t think I’ll fit. Oh well; Susan, who do I have to see next.

Follow me, as she slung her rifle over her shoulder.

Two floors up she stopped in front of a plain black door, and kicked it twice.

I heard heavy bolts move within the door, and it swung open an inch or two. After we entered, Susan put her shoulder to it and slammed it shut. The automatic bolts slammed home and the door drew tight to its frame. Without thinking I commented, An armored door, is there armor in the walls as well?

She gave me a puzzled look as another voice answered. No. Why do you want to know?

Because I wouldn’t enter by way of an armored door. I’d blow a hole in the wall, and prance in with a big smile on my face.

You’re a smart ass bastard, aren’t you?

Only when I wake up not knowing where I am, or how I got there. Also I remember seeing a picture of my parents wedding, so I’m only a smart ass.

"Major, he told Jake downstairs that he is a